Loveland's Jayce Melby works it double time

Indians junior excels at two sports at once

By Cris Tiller Sports Writer

Posted:
09/23/2013 11:18:29 PM MDT

Loveland's Jayce Melby (19) kicks a game-winning field goal in a game against Lakewood. Melby stars on the Indians' soccer team in addition to handling kicking duties for the football team.
(STEVE STONER)

For more than two hours Loveland junior Jayce Melby gave it all he had on the pitch.

He started in his usual midfield position, where the offense runs through him, but finished playing the center back position after a red card sent a teammate off. A true testament to his versatility on the field.

The Indians lost 2-1 to rival Thompson Valley, their second loss in two days, but Melby had no time sulk, his night was only half over.

That evening he was pulling a double shift as the football team's kicker.

Loveland would score 50 points meaning Melby saw plenty of action between extra points, kickoffs and a 33-yard field goal. By the end he was understandably tired, but happy to have a chance to play two sports he loves.

"I played a bunch of different positions (in football) in middle school in Texas, but in Texas football and soccer are two different seasons," Melby said. "So when I got here it was like 'Well do I play football or do I play soccer?' I don't know, it's kind of cool just finding the middle and being able to do both."

Doing both means leaving very little time for anything else. Melby goes to both football and soccer practice after school on most days, plays in two soccer games a week andevery Friday night is asked to do the taken-for-granted task of putting footballs through the uprights.

Lucky for him the schedules usually work out. Special teams practice first and soccer training starts an hour later than football. By the time he finishes up one and moves on to the other, Melby's more than warmed up.

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"The key to the multi-sport guys is it's not a 50-50 split, it's not a 25-75 split, they literally have to pull like a 75-75 or and 80-60. They have to go above and beyond 100 percent, putting in more time than your one-sport athletes," LHS soccer coach Chad Arthur said. "Jayce does a really fine job of doing that. He's hardly missed a minute of soccer. He's showed up to soccer and he's already got a sweat going and already winded from going through football training."

Loveland junior Jayce Melby has started since his freshman year for coach Chad Arthur, who believes Melby can play at the next level in either sport.
(Steve Stoner)

Arthur knows a thing or two about splitting time between sports, balancing soccer, football and cross country in his time as an athlete for Loveland. Arthur starred on the soccer field, helped win a state championship his senior year of cross country and kicked for former Indians football coach John Poovey over two seasons.

Having the support of both Arthur and football coach Wayne McGinn makes Melby's life much easier -- at least as easy as it could be.

"It's perfect. They let me do what I want to do and help the team out. That's another big thing of why I think Chad's a great coach, great person off the field too," Melby said. "He's just really understanding of all of us and our situations, so it's sweet."

After spending his sophomore season kicking for the junior varsity team, Melby got a tough challenge for his first ever varsity kick in Loveland's opening game against Lakewood.

The field goal was a potential game winner and he had to make it twice because of a penalty. Needless to say, the pressure was nearly crushing.

"I was really nervous, I mean I had to kick it once, then we got a penalty and had to back it up a few yards, so it was really nerve-wracking," he said. "But when you've got a whole team, whole offensive line blocking for you, I felt pretty safe."

What comes with more pressure, a penalty kick of field goal? He didn't even have to think about it.

"I'm going to have to go with the field goal. It's a lot of pressure," Melby said. "I've been playing soccer for more than 10 years and football for three or four, so it's just a bigger stage with football in high school."

While Melby's future is bright in soccer having started since his freshman year and possessing both the physical and technical skill to play at the next level, according to Arthur, there's always the possibility of kicking in college.

"He's got plenty of opportunities there (to play in college), and I'm sure Alabama would love to have him as their kicker right now," Arthur said jokingly. "He's got great support with his family. He's a phenomenal kid and they're backing him 100 percent to take whatever opportunity he gets. He's a great kid to have on your sideline."

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